Fuentes Sox' 1st pick

"I don't know what inning," Fuentes said. "He called me when he was at the game."

The Red Sox chose Fuentes, a speedy center fielder from Fernando Callejo High School in Manati, Puerto Rico, with their first choice, the 28th overall selection. All-Star bloodlines aside, the Sox took Fuentes because they thought he was the best player available.

"He's going to be a good player not because he's my cousin, just judging by the talent he has," Beltran told the New York Daily News Sunday. "He's very disciplined. For being young, he loves to work. That's what impresses me the most."

With their second pick, No. 77 overall, the Red Sox chose Alex Wilson, a 6-foot, righthander from Texas A&M. Wilson underwent Tommy John surgery more than a year ago and sat out the 2008 season, but he is fully recovered. Wilson, who has worked as a starter and a reliever, throws an "overpowering" fastball and curveball, Red Sox scouting director Jason McLeod said.

In the third round, the Red Sox added another player with major league family ties, David Renfroe. He's an athletic, 6-3 player from South Panola High in Batesville, Miss., who may be used as a pitcher, shortstop, or third baseman. Renfroe, the son of former Chicago Cubs pitcher Laddie Renfroe, has a commitment to Ole Miss, and could play quarterback for the Rebels football team if he so chooses.

The Red Sox first scouted Fuentes two years ago, when Edgar Perez noticed him. McLeod made multiple trips to meet with and watch Fuentes, and general manager Theo Epstein saw him this spring. Fuentes has drawn comparisons with Johnny Damon, but "we don't want to place those expectations on him," McLeod said.

Beltran and Fuentes work out together regularly during the offseason. Fuentes was born in Florida, but, when he was 9, his family moved to Manati, a town of roughly 45,000 on the northern coast of Puerto Rico that exports pineapples, green bananas, coffee, and, apparently, quicksilver center fielders. Beltran also attended Fernando Callejo and grew up in Manati.

Fuentes has speed similar to Beltran's, who is perhaps the best base runner in baseball. Fuentes runs the 60-yard dash in 6.2 seconds, and he is a high school sprint champion.

"My strength," Fuentes said, "is my legs." He said he needs to improve his throwing mechanics and add size and strength.

Fuentes modeled his game after his cousin. As a young player, Fuentes once sacrifice bunted, then raced safely to first. He realized his speed gave him an advantage.

"[Beltran] and me are very close," Fuentes said. "When I play, I get very focused on what I do. I don't pay any mind to anything outside the game. I just play ball. I consider myself very similar to Carlos. Because when he's playing, he just plays the game and nothing else."

At 6 feet, 160 pounds, Fuentes's build has been compared with that of Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano. Fuentes may not look muscular, but he possesses the potential to hit for power.

"I'm thin, but I'm strong," Fuentes said. "I have a hidden power."

"The thing that distinguished him from other speedy, plus-plus runners is this guy can hit, too," Epstein said. "He really got stronger as the scouting season went on."

The Red Sox have a number of fast center fielders in their system, but they draft only by choosing the most talented player available. Epstein also said that a surplus of center fielders is OK, because those players can easily move to a corner position.

"He was the most talented player there for us," McLeod said. "He was the guy we really wanted."

Fuentes also met with the Rangers, Tigers, and Diamondbacks in recent weeks. He said Epstein called while Fuentes was celebrating at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Puerto Rico.

"I don't know much," Fuentes said. "But I would love to learn the whole story, the whole history, of the Boston Red Sox."